Massachusetts Dems Pass Bill to ‘Eliminate Collective Bargaining as We Know It’

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.inthesetimes.com/working/entry/7242/mass_dems_push_bill_to_eliminate_collective_bargaining_as_we_know_it/

Wednesday Apr 27, 2011 9:16 am

By Mike Elk

Last night, the Massachusetts House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a bill (111-42) to strip public-sector workers of their ability to bargain collectively for healthcare. The rhetoric surrounding the bill, proposed by Democratic State House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo, is in many ways similar to what Wisconsinites recently heard as Gov. Walker pushed his infamous unionbusting bill.

But how could a state in which Democrats control both the State House and the Governor’s mansion be pushing a bill that attacks workers’ rights to collectively bargain?

The State of Massachusetts currently faces a budget deficit of $1.9 billion. House Democrats say that by limiting the collective bargaining rights of public employees over healthcare they can save the state $100 million a year. Democrats in Massachusetts, much like Democrats in New York, have focused on cutting basic government services and workers’ wages instead of raising taxes on the richest. Thus, House Speaker DeLeo proposed the plan that would limit the rights of employees to collective bargain over healthcare. And many Democrats, who have been supported by labor unions in the state, passed it.


Robert A. DeLeo, speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, did not strengthen his party's traditional alliance with organized labor this week. (Photo via Massachusetts-election-2010.com)

“We are going to fight this thing to the bitter end,’’ Robert J. Haynes, president of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO, told the Boston Globe last night. “Massachusetts is not the place that takes collective bargaining away from public employees.’’

The plan, which now goes to the State Senate, gives local officials the ability of municipal governments to set copayments and deductibles for municipal workers. Only the amount of yearly premiums paid by workers would be on the negotiation table for public workers.

FULL story at link.

[valerief]

1. This is appalling. nt

[RKP5637]

2. Most citizens in my lifetime will be peasants and indentured servants. n/t

[sasha031]

3. i am so disappointed in my state

[midnight]

4. Will that is just pure crap....

[Recursion]

5. About healthcare, yes

Romneycare pretty much doesn't give them any other option.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

6. To see the hits unions are taking in what are considered labor friendly states is appalling